TRAILS Rip Van Winkle Council, BSA #405 1300 Ulster Avenue, Suite 107 Kingston, NY 12401

January 2021 Newsletter

STATE OF THE COUNCIL GATHERING

Historically, a gathering is held in January of every year to report to the unit volunteers on the current status of the council. This year, that meeting will be held on Thursday, January 28 at 630PM

Among the key topics of discussion for the evening will be: o The national bankruptcy and its impact on the Rip Van Winkle Council o The recent merger to form the Greater Hudson Valley Council o Camp Tri-Mount 2021 o FairShare 2021

I would urge each of you to join in this Zoom meeting and hear the latest from the key leaders of the council. The link to the zoom meeting can be found elsewhere in this newsletter.

If you are like me, I am happy and grateful 2020 is over and I hope 2021 is a much better year, for all of us. Last year, the Scouting program was severely impacted by COVID-19 and it may take years for us to recover. That said, as Scouting leaders, we need to remain hopeful and optimistic as an example to our Scouts and fellow Scouters. With every challenge that took place last year, there were still good things that happened. Good things like: o A total of 12 Scouts BSA earned the rank of Eagle o A total of 540 merit badges were earned in a year we did not operate summer camp. o A total of 346 Cub Scouts advanced one rank o Council volunteers learned how to organize and run virtual events recognizing Eagle Scouts, a community leader and a community organization while successfully raising much needed funds to support the council’s operations.

Let’s all be hopeful 2021 turns out to be a much better year for for the Scouting program than the past year.

Be safe! We are all in this together.

See you down the trail…

Dana E. Kuhns Scout Executive/CEO

SHORT TERM CALENDAR January 25 Executive Board meeting 28 State of the Council meeting 31 Half Moon Lodge, OA - Lodge Executive Committee meeting

February 1 Council Camping Committee 5 Scout Shabbat begins at sunset 6 Scout Shabbat 7 Scout Sunday 8 Half Moon Lodge, OA - Lodge meeting 15 Presidents Day – Service Center closed 15 Scouts BSA Leader Roundtable 17 Leader Roundtable 22 Executive Board meeting 27 Eagle Scout Workshop 28 Camp Tri-Mount Alumni Association (CTAA) winter meeting

PLEASE NOTE: As many of you know, we have had to cancel several events and activities due to COVID-19. A revised council calendar is being developed for 2021 and 2021. A DRAFT of the new calendar will be distributed to key unit leadership in the near future.

STATE OF THE COUNCIL GATHERING

Please join us for the State of the Council gathering.

Topic: STATE THE COUNCIL MEETING Time: Jan 28, 2021 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97127080189?pwd=YU5CR09oQmRwYnhUaGw3Q3E2T05VUT09 Meeting ID: 971 2708 0189 Passcode: 4i1PZ0

Dial by your location 1 646 558 8656 US (New York) Meeting ID: 971 2708 0189 Passcode: 485480

DO YOU ORDER FROM AMAZON.COM?

Did you know that when you place an order at smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate to a charity of your choice? And it does NOT cost you anything.

With the holidays upon us and Amazon as a prime supplier for many of us, you can set it up so that every time you order from Amazon, a percentage of the total amount ordered will be given to the Rip Van Winkle Council, .

Effectively, it’s “FREE” money.

NATIONAL STATEMENT ON COVID-19

As always, the safety of our Scouts, volunteers, employees and communities is our top priority. Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be informed by expertise from agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We expect that everyone in Scouting will follow the guidelines listed below, which are based on the CDC’s guidance. In addition, we have instructed local councils to consult with their local and state health departments, as well as local chartered partners, in order to implement appropriate protocols to help keep members, volunteers, and employees safe.

 Isolate if you are sick, and do not attend any activity/meeting/event if you, anyone you live with, or anyone you have recently been around feels unwell.  Stay at least 6 feet apart from people who do not live with you. (properly executed Scouting cohorts at council camps may be an exception).  Avoid crowds.  Avoid poorly ventilated indoor spaces.  Meet outside if you can.  Wear a face covering or mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.  Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.  Avoid international travel if possible.  Do not attend any activity/meeting/event if you or anyone you live with has been tested for COVID-19 or another illness and do not have the results back yet.

Units should look to their council regarding whether/how to conduct in-person meetings and activities. If in-person gatherings are permitted, be sure to follow all applicable guidelines and use your council’s version of the Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist before attending.

We are taking similar steps as a national organization as we continue to evaluate and adapt to the current environment with the best interests of our members, volunteers, and employees in mind.

Thank you for doing your part to ensure that young people continue to benefit from Scouting while protecting the health and safety of our families, friends, and communities.

REMINDER: CHECK ON YOUR UNIT’S BEASCOUT.ORG LEADS

We continue to make good progress, but there are still leads in the BeAScout.org system awaiting follow- up. Each week, emails are sent to unit contacts who are designated as registration support. These emails indicate that someone is interested in learning more about Scouting! If you haven’t already checked on the leads for your unit, make sure you act on this information to help welcome more youth and families into Scouting. To find out more about how to manage BeAScout leads, designate someone as registration support and online registration, visit https://www.scouting.org/resources/online- registration/.

REMINDER - NEW BSA MEMBERSHIP FEES BECAME EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2020

Earlier this year, the BSA recently announced an increase in membership fees that became effective August 1, 2020.

The new fees are: Youth registration fee is $66 - (Additionally, the BSA has established a one-time initiation fee for ALL new youth members of $25) Adult registration fee is $42. Annual Unit Recharter fee is $75.

JOURNEY TO EXCELLENCE

Guidebooks Pack 2020 Pack Troop 2020 Troop Crew 2020 Crew Ship 2020 Ship

To print these guides, Journey to Excellence Spreadsheets download as a PDF and PRINT Use this link to find JTE Resources and then scroll down for the Spreadsheets referred to in the Guidebooks

After a year of unprecedented challenges, and a round of modifications to the JTE Spreadsheets… it’s time to capture what good your Units have accomplished and recognize your Scouts and Leaders for such. Then… with having set the benchmark for improvement, aim for GOLD in 2021; it can very reasonably be achieved by all!

PLEASE download the appropriate Spreadsheets from the above links, complete and have your Unit Leadership sign and submit with your recharter papers to the Council Office before January 31st, 2021 and we will see it is reviewed and processed.

Don’t forget to order Recognition (Patches/Streamers/Pins/Plaques) for your Unit as well.

PROPOSED EAGLE SCOUT DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION MERIT BADGE DELAYED

The introduction of the proposed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion merit badge is being delayed allowing for the careful consideration and evaluation of feedback received from a wide variety of commenters on the draft requirements. Until further notice, all Scouts working on the Eagle Scout rank should continue to

use current rank requirements. Once the Eagle-required Diversity, Equity and Inclusion merit badge is introduced, Scouts in the process of earning the rank of Eagle Scout will be given adequate time to earn it. Updates regarding the merit badge will be shared with councils directly and via Scoutingwire. Specific questions are welcome via email at [email protected].

50TH ANNIVERSARY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AWARD

Details On the 50th Anniversary Environmental Protection Agency Award Program Term: January 1 – December 31, 2021

The Environmental Protection Agency, as part of a public awareness campaign to celebrate its first 50 years, has partnered with the Boy Scouts of America to create an award for members of troops, crews and ships. This new award will recognize youth who research and learn about the subjects of human health and the environment, as the EPA develops its vision for the next 50 years.

The objective of the EPA award is to combine a variety of disciplines to challenge and educate youth; introduce them to the breadth of the EPA’s involvement in environmental protection and conservation; and encourage them to research, investigate, experiment, demonstrate, survey, and study air pollution, water pollution, solid and hazardous waste, and ocean dumping.

Members must earn the Public Health merit badge and three additional merit badges from selected categories. Finally, they must participate in an environmental/public health community service project as part of an approved Scouting program.

Download the application here.

Completed applications are submitted to the local Scout Shop to receive the commemorative patch

BOYS’ LIFE NAME CHANGE OCCURS (formerly Boys' Life) is the monthly magazine of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Its target readers are boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 18. The magazine‘s headquarters are in Irving, Texas. Scout Life is published in two demographic editions. Both editions often had the same cover, but are tuned to the target audience through the inclusion of 16–20 pages of unique content per edition. The first edition is suitable for the youngest members of Cub Scouting, the 6-to-10-year-old Cub Scouts and first-year Webelos Scouts. The second edition is appropriate for 11-to-18-year-old boys and girls, which includes second-year Webelos through 18-year-old Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts and Venturers. If the subscription was obtained through registration in the Boy Scouts of America program, the publisher selects the appropriate edition based on the scout's age.

The magazine's mascot is Pedro the Mailburro, who answers readers' letters and is the subject of a comic strip. In 2018, the BSA announced a pending title change to reflect the addition of girls to Scouts BSA, the renamed program that now accepts scouts of both sexes. The title change to Scout Life took effect during the publishing of the January 2021 issue. Some Scout histories record that the first copies of Boys' Life found themselves being delivered from the leather pouches of postmen in March of 1911. (Even Boys' Life itself marked its 75th anniversary with a special 32-page supplement in the March 1986, issue.) However, those who have researched the history of the magazine know that its first appearance occurred in January of that year. We should honor George S. Barton, of Somerville, Mass., as founder, publisher, and first editor of Boys' Life. He served in those capacities from its beginning until he sold the magazine in 1912 to the BSA. Barton called BL "The Boys' and Boy Scouts' Magazine." Legally, he could not label it as "The Semi-Official Publication" of the BSA because not only did he not belong to the BSA, he was active in a rival organization. As most Scouters know, 1910 marked the official beginning of the Boy Scouts of America. Many do not know, however, that the and the also were formed that year.

CONGRATULATE AN EAGLE SCOUT IN A SPECIAL DIGITAL EDITION OF SCOUT LIFE MAGAZINE

Scout Life is honored to introduce the special digital edition to honor and celebrate the Eagle Scout Class of 2020, including the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts, all of whom earned the highest rank in the Scouts BSA program while navigating unprecedented challenges last year. Families with either a young man or young woman (or both!) who earned the Eagle Scout Award last year are welcome to commemorate their Scout’s achievement in this issue.

To honor Scouts that earned the Eagle Scout rank in 2020, those who want to commemorate a Scout’s achievement can buy an ad in a special digital edition of Scout Life, which will be available in the Scout Life app (available at the App Store and on Google Play) and on scoutlife.org at the end of January.

Submissions can include photos for each advertisement, as well as a special message. The deadline to purchase an ad is January 27, 2021. Pricing is $450 for a full-page ad, $300 for a half-page ad and $200 for a quarter-page ad.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Congratulate Your Eagle Scout in a Special Edition of Scout Life – Scout Life magazine

DETAILS ON EKNOWLEDGE SAT/ACT TEST PREP FOR SCOUTS

The eKnowledge and the SAT/ACT Donation Project remains in effect for Scout families – both current and former – enabling them to access SAT and/or ACT test-prep computer programs for a reduced rate. The test prep includes multiple hours of video instruction, several lessons and drills, hundreds of practice questions, and numerous automatically graded tests. The 2021 Exam Schedule has just been announced. See the flyer for full details.

Find additional details at http://eKnowledge.com/BSA and by viewing the flyer.

ADVANCEMENT UPDATES, INCLUDING TIME EXTENSIONS

Effective Jan. 1, 2021, local councils will have the authority to grant limited extensions of time to complete Eagle, Quartermaster, or Summit requirements. These extensions are available only to youth members who qualify under the three tests listed in the attached advance copy of topics 9.0.4.0, 9.0.4.1, 9.0.4.2, and forms 11.2.0.0 and 11.2.1.0 from the 2021 edition of the Guide to Advancement (GTA), which will be published early in the year. Advance copies of these topics and forms are also published at www.scouting.org/advancement.

The three tests are laid out in topic 9.0.4.0. The process for requesting and reviewing a time extension is outlined in topic 9.0.4.1. An appeal process has also been established if the council denies an extension. This process is outlined in topic 9.0.4.2.

Though the updated GTA containing these three topics will not be published until after the new year, the authority outlined in topics 9.0.4.0, 9.0.4.1, and 9.0.4.2 will take effect on Jan. 1, 2021.

Council Advancement Committees are advised that after Dec. 31, 2020, there is no plan to authorize COVID extensions as has been allowed during 2020. It is possible, however, that as of Jan. 1, 2021, COVID could become a circumstance that warrants an extension if it qualifies under the three tests listed in 9.0.4.0. Note that existing COVID extensions granted between Oct. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020, will expire three months after they were granted.

USE THE UPDATED PRE-EVENT COVID SCREENING CHECKLIST

A review of reported COVID-19 incidents has led to additional screening questions being added to the pre-event medical screening checklist. Please share this with your Council Health Supervisor and incorporate into your event and activity planning.

The updated checklist can be downloaded as part of the Pre-Event Medical Screening Safety Moment or directly here: Model Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist (COVID-19 version)

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR TELESCOPIUM EXPERIENCE AT THE SUMMIT BECHTEL RESERVE

This is an invitation for all interested individuals to register for The Telescopium Experience (TTE). TTE is a planning conference that will allow us to look forward at how we can use our collective experiences of past , event planning, hospitality engagement, customer service, and innovation to create a wonderful event as our future opens itself to bigger opportunities. In addition, participants will be able to sign up for some programmatic adventures that the Summit offers. Offsite program features may be offered at an additional expense.

The first 400 Telescopium participants will receive a commemorative name plate.

Together we will define our next Jamboree! Register today using this link - https://www.summitbsa.org/telescopium/

Be a lens to help us see what the future can be at Telescopium!

A LETTER FROM THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

December 21, 2020

As we look back on this year, it is easy to see the challenges that have become synonymous with 2020. While these challenges are significant, I believe they are outnumbered by the joy, opportunity and hope that surrounded us.

After all, this was the year when we found unique means to bring Scouting to young people – often in ways we never considered possible. Like when stars like Nick Jonas, Kevin Hart and Mr. Beast donned Scout uniforms to try their hand at learning and showing off the skills millions of Scouts learn every year. Little did we know exactly how much we would inspire skill-building Scouting through digital content. And when the pandemic hit, Scouting stepped up to the challenge, and Scouting found a way to make a difference.

When children yearned for a sense of normalcy during stay-at-home orders, Scouting provided countless hours of programming through virtual meetings, adventures, council merit badge clinics and even a National Camp-In and two virtual Family Fun Fest events. In fact, of the one million merit badges and adventures that Scouts worked on and earned this year, a tremendous number of those were earned virtually. And, when it was safe for youth to enjoy some adventures in the outdoors, Scouting stepped up to make socially distant experiences possible.

When communities struggled to find face coverings, Scouts rallied to donate neckerchiefs, sew masks, make face shields, and help those on the front lines and throughout our communities stay safe. When families struggled with how to put food on the table, Scouting helped raise more than $100,000 for Feeding America and helped restock countless local food banks with Scouting for Food initiatives throughout local councils.

When teachers and schools faced the task of preparing for this unusual school year, Scouting offered support by supporting AdoptAClassroom.org, so teachers could access the supplies they need to welcome students back to class – both online and in person.

Importantly, Scouting has continued to build character, confidence, and leadership during this turbulent year – just consider these amazing Scouts that have inspired us this year:  Alex Saldana, the Scout whose touching tribute to veterans who died from COVID-10 was featured on NBC Nightly News  Jacob Finch, the Scout who rallied the donation of thousands of neckerchiefs to help meet PPE shortages in New York and New Jersey  Ryanne Fisher, one of the Scouts in the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts, who built an outdoor classroom for her school to utilize during the pandemic  Alexander Mather, the Cub Scout who won the competition to name the next Mars rover  Alex Arehart, the Scout whose award-winning project used STEM to build needed seating for his school  Gitanjali Rao, the inventor and STEM Scout named TIME Magazine’s Kid of the Year  Kieran Foley, the Scout who used Scouting skills to save two children from an icy pond

These are a few of the remarkable stories that remind us of the power of Scouting.

This power does not come from the recognition our efforts receive, but rather from the kindness that prompts our work and the impact we make.

Scouting teaches young people how to respond to challenges with solutions and that their potential to be a change for good in the world is limitless – encumbered only by the limits of their imagination and will. It is a life lesson we should all carry with us.

As we take stock at the end of the year, I hope you will also look to find the silver lining that inspires you, your families, your units and communities.

I hope you know that you – Scouts, volunteers, employees, families, donors, partners and alumni – are an integral part of the BSA’s silver lining. Thank you for your continued support of the Scouting movement – your commitment, work and support have helped make some incredible things possible, and you are an essential part of our ability to empower young people now and in the years to come.

I wish you the happiest of holidays and a new year where many more youth will be able to learn, grow and Scout on!

Roger Mosby President and CEO

CAMP TRI-MOUNT HAS BEEN APPROVED AS A CAMPGROUND BY NSY DOH

At present we have two Campground locations available for Troops to camp at – Spirit of 76 Campsite and Baden Powell. These sites have platforms that tents that can be set-up on. During our walk-around inspection with the NYS DOH they told us that the platforms would need to be used or that tents on the ground would need to be at least 10’ apart and single occupancy – unless it is siblings from within the same household that are less than two years apart in age (BSA YPT)

Day use by units is available for the Camp. If a unit would like to spend a day at camp hiking that is OK to do. The Camp does have snowshoes available for rent for $5/pair/day. Please remember for a day activity, all COVID-19 safety procedures must be followed, and reservations need to be made through the Council Service Center.

NEW EAGLE SCOUT LEADERSHIP SERVICE PROJECT BOOKLET

National has published a new Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project booklet that should be used. There are differences in the booklet including the instruction that photos and additional documentation should be attached as additional document. There is no longer a place to insert photos into the Booklet. This is the link to the new booklet: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-927_fillable.pdf Eagle Scout Application

This is the link for the Eagle Scout Application https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512- 728_WB_Fillable.pdf We want to draw your attention to the Certification by Applicant on the 2nd page of the application. There is a requirement that often get missed: “In preparation for your board of review, prepare and attach to your Eagle Scout Rank Application a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in your religious institution, school, camp, community, or other organizations, during which you demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this service.”

UPDATED RANK ADVANCEMENT REQUIRMENTS

The rank requirements are official as of Jan. 1, 2021. If a Scout has started work toward a rank before that date using requirements that were current before Jan. 1, 2021, except as noted below, the Scout may complete that rank using the old requirements. Any progress toward a rank that is begun after Jan. 1, 2021, must use the requirements as they are presented on this webpage. This is the link to the information: http://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/3321621-Scouts-BSA-Rank- Requirements_FPO1v2.pdf

YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING

Youth Protection Training is required of all Unit Volunteers during the month of January to be registered with your Unit. This training can be found at my.scouting.org. When you log onto the site the YPT training link is on the right-hand side of the page. Please remember that Rip Van Winkle Council requires annual training while the national council requires every 2 years.

When you click on the icon to will bring you to the start of the four-section course. At the bottom of each section link you will see Retake this is what you should click on to retake the course for this year.

If you cannot remember your logon password – please email me at [email protected] and I can reset your password for you.